Marieke van der Heijden teaches classical ballet in the pre-NBA classes at the Dutch National Ballet Academy, and is also a certified teacher of Progressing Ballet Technique. In addition, she serves as Coordinator of Scouting & Outreach and the pre-NBA programme. IMarieke builds a bridge between the professional training programme and the amateur dance community on behalf of the Dutch National Ballet Academy, organising a wide range of activities that introduce children to ballet and to the academy.

With her expertise, experience and infectious enthusiasm, Marieke has a remarkable ability to pass on ballet technique to young children in an inspiring and accessible way. She also shares her knowledge through the academy’s Teacher Seminars, as well as at various other locations throughout the country.

Marieke graduated in 1995 from the Teacher Training Programme in Dance in Education at the Theaterschool in Amsterdam (now the Academy of Theatre and Dance), specialising in classical ballet, children’s dance and modern dance. In 1999 she founded her own school, Balletstudio Marieke van der Heijden, which soon developed into a well-known amateur ballet school in the region. In 2024, the school became part of the Dutch National Ballet Academy under the new name Studio NBA, continuing as the academy’s amateur department.